UNC vs Tulane for economics: which is the better choice for an undergraduate econ major?

For undergraduate economics, UNC is usually the stronger academic option if you want a larger, more established econ department, broader course selection, and especially a good setup for research or grad school preparation. Tulane can still be a very appealing choice, but it tends to make more sense for a student who wants smaller classes earlier, a more intimate campus feel, and strong access to New Orleans-based internships and policy-oriented experiences.

At UNC, the economics department has a bigger public-university scale, which matters in practical ways. You are more likely to find a wider range of upper-level electives, more faculty working across different subfields, and stronger quantitative depth if you decide you want to pair econ with math, statistics, business, or public policy. For students considering a PhD or a quantitatively serious master's later, that breadth can be valuable.

UNC also benefits from being part of a very strong academic ecosystem in the Research Triangle. That can help with research exposure, connections to policy and data-related work, and access to nearby employers. Even if you do not plan on graduate school yet, being in that environment can make it easier to test out research assistant work or more analytical internships.

Tulane is attractive for a different kind of student. If you learn best in a setting that feels more personal and less sprawling, Tulane may offer a more comfortable undergraduate experience. New Orleans also gives Tulane students access to internships tied to local government, nonprofits, healthcare, business, and community-based economic issues, which can be especially useful if your interests lean toward urban economics, public policy, or applied economics in real-world settings.

For internships alone, neither school has an automatic edge in every field. UNC may open more doors for larger regional networks and traditional research-oriented opportunities, while Tulane's location can produce hands-on experiences that feel more immediate and relationship-driven.

If I were weighing only the economics program itself, I would lean UNC. If I were weighing where a student might feel more supported day to day, get smaller-scale attention, and build applied experience in a distinctive city, Tulane has a real case.